The Dragons Blood Key: Legend of the Dragon's Blood Key - Book 1 by Linda L Barton Page A

careful. One might
begin to think that you are a pushover for such a lovely young lady.”
    Othan turned toward Roupert. “That is no
surprise, Roupert. I have always had a soft place in my heart for
pretty young ladies ; especially
when they are those such as our Cassandra here,” he glanced over at
Cassy and wink playfully.
    “Well, my old friend, we have far to travel
today, so we must continue on our way. It is always good to see you,” Roupert said.
    “Wait, before you go I have something for
Cassandra.” Othan turned and quickly walked over to the bridge then
he disappeared behind the bush where he appeared when they had
arrived. After a couple of minutes, he returned holding a small
glass vial. He held out his hand and offered it to Cassy.
    Cassy took the offered object and held it up
examining it carefully . “What is
it?”
    “It is the nectar from the blossom of the
Samen plant. It is a very particular plant, as it only blooms once every twenty
years, and then you must capture the nectar from the heart of the blossom in the light of the full
moon.”
    Cassy’s eyes grew wide with amazement, as
she watched the fluid inside of the vial slowly swirl and change
its color from blue to purple then back to blue. “What’s it
supposed to do?”
    “It will provide you your greatest need,”
Othan replied flatly.
    “I don’t understand. When will I know?”
Cassy shook her head, not convinced if she understood him.
    “You will know when you need it, and when
you do, open the vial and drink it
all.” Othan reached up and touched her hand. “But be warned. Do not
use it for personal gain, for if you do, what happens next will be
very grave. The nectar of the bloom is sacred, so you must only use
it in a time of extreme need. Do you understand?” Othan looked
Cassy deeply in the eyes, letting her know the importance of his
words.
    Cassy nodded her understanding then she
reached for her pack on her back.
    “No, do not put the vial in your pack. It
must be kept in a safe place where you can get it without delay.”
Othan raised his hand and with one finger, he touched the Breast
Plate. Suddenly the Plate began to vibrate and in an instant, a
small opening appeared near the Blood Key.
    “Hand me the vial, please.” Othan held out
his hand.
    Cassy placed the vial in Othan’s outstretched hand, and then she watched as he put the vial into the opening then he tapped twice on the Blood Key. Once he
pulled his hand away, the small opening holding the vial had vanished.
    “Where did it go?” Cassy cried out.
    “It is hidden safely within the Breast Plate
where no one can take it from you,” Othan smiled.
    “But how do I get it out when I need it?”
Cassy looked down at the place where it had vanished and ran her finger along the smooth surface.
    Othan shook his head and laughed. “Were you
not paying attention? Here,” Othan reached up and tapped the center
of the Blood Key twice, and when he pulled his hand away, the
opening appeared with the vial safely secured inside.
    “Oh, I get it now. I tap the center of the
Blood Key twice to open and close it; cool,” she grinned.
    Othan looked at Cassy, confused by her
response. “I do not understand. It is not cold. Why do you say it
is cold?”
    Cassy could not hold back her laughter. “No,
I didn’t mean it was cold. That’s just a figure of speech. In my
realm, when you say something is cool, it means that it’s
good.”
    Othan shook his head, unsure of the strange
customs of this realm she came from. “I see, well I guess it is
cool to have met you today, Cassandra.”
    “It is cool to have met you too,” Cassy teased while the rest of the group
broke out in laughter.
    Roupert reached out and rested his hand on
Othan’s shoulder. “It is time for us to leave, my old friend.”
    Othan’s eyes gazed into Cassy’s with sadness
clearly showing in them. “Please remember to use the nectar should
you find yourself facing a difficult and dangerous time